Mobile device with handle

ABSTRACT

A handle for a mobile device includes a housing coupled to the mobile device; a surface of the housing being contoured to substantially conform to a natural curvature of a hand of the user. The handle also includes a perch coupled to the housing and extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to mobile devices with handles.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Mobile devices often include a handle which allows a user to hold, pickup or manipulate the devices. A conventional mobile device may have a long “gun” style handle which makes the conventional device unwieldy. For example, the handle may cause the user to experience difficulty in taking the conventional device out of a holster or reaching into small spaces. In addition, if the conventional device is dropped, the size of the handle increases a likelihood that the conventional device is damaged.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional mobile unit (“MU”) 100. The MU 100 (e.g., a barcode scanner) may include a housing 110 and a handle 120. The MU 100 is activated by engaging a trigger 130 disposed within the handle 120. The handle 120 may extend vertically past a surface of the user's hand when the MU 100 is held in a gun-like manner. In addition, the handle 120 may be integral with the housing 110. That is, the handle 120 and the housing 110 may be formed (e.g., molded) as a single piece comprising a portion (e.g., a left/right half) of the MU 100.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a handle for a mobile device. The handle comprises a housing coupled to the mobile device, a surface of the housing being contoured to substantially conform to a natural curvature of a hand of the user. The handle further comprises a perch coupled to the housing and extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

The present invention also relates to a mobile device comprising a first housing and a handle. The handle includes a second housing and a perch, the second housing being coupled to the first housing, the perch extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second housing, a surface of the second housing being contoured to conform to a natural curvature of a hand of a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a conventional mobile device;

FIG. 2A is an exemplary embodiment of a mobile device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an exemplary embodiment of the mobile device of FIG. 2A when placed in a resting position;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a handle according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is another exemplary embodiment of a handle according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4B is an exemplary embodiment of the handle of FIG. 4A when coupled to an extension handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The present invention relates to mobile devices (e.g., MUs) with handles. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to an MU with a barcode scanner, however those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented with any type of MU which utilizes a handle, such as an RFID reader, an image-/laser-based scanner, a mobile terminal, etc.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary embodiment of an MU 200 according to the present invention. The MU 200 may be functionally similar to the MU 100. For example, the MU 200 may comprise a barcode scanner and may include a first housing 210 integrally coupled to a handle 220 and a trigger 230. The trigger 230 may be any type of switching device (e.g., a pressure sensitive switch, a push-button, a rocker switch, a slide switch, etc.). One or more data acquisition arrangements (e.g., an imager, a laser-based barcode scanner, an RFID reader, a touch sensitive screen, a keypad, a microphone, etc.) may be disposed within the first housing.

The handle 220 comprises a second housing and may be formed of the same or substantially similar materials as the first housing 210. For example, both the first housing 210 and the second housing may be molded from a hard polymer such as plastic. Alternatively, the first and second housings may be formed of a composite material, such as a metal alloy. In choosing the material(s), various factors such as weight, hardness, cost and general durability may be considered.

The handle may be ergonomically shaped to fit the user's hand. For example, a curved ridge 260 disposed on a rear of the handle 220 may enhance grip security during forward rotation of the MU 200. In addition, a surface of the second housing may be contoured to include a rounded end 250 conformed to a natural curvature of the hand. The rounded end 250 may terminate before the surface of the hand when the MU 200 is held. That is, a length of the second housing may be shorter than a width of the hand. In an alternative embodiment, the rounded end 250 may be substantially flush with the surface of the hand (e.g., the length of the second housing is equal to a width of the hand, or flush with a center of a palm of the hand (e.g., the length of the second housing is equal to half the width of the hand). Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, an overall length of the handle 220 may range from 3″ to 4″.

The handle 220 may further include a diving board-shaped perch 240 which is located between the trigger 230 and the rounded end 250, extending distally from the handle 220, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second housing. The perch 240 may separate two fingers (e.g., a trigger finger and a middle finger) of the user when the MU 200 is held, thereby enhancing grip security. In one embodiment, the perch 240 may have a predetermined length and a substantially uniform thickness. In another embodiment, the perch 240 may be non-uniformly shaped. For example, a proximal end of the perch 240 may be tapered or curved so as to provide a desired distance and/or maintain a desired relative position between the separated fingers while a distal end 242 of the perch 240 may be flared to enhance stability of the MU 200 when placed in a resting position, as will be described below.

As described above, the handle 220 may be formed of a hard plastic or polymer. In one embodiment, one or more portions of the handle 220 (e.g., the entire second housing) may be coated with a grip enhancing and/or shock absorbing substance, such as a hydrophilic rubber, a memory foam, a textured rubber, etc. For example, the distal end 242 may be rubber-coated to protect against impacts and/or enhance stability in the resting position. An interior of the handle 220 may be solid or hollow depending on a desired handling characteristic. For example, a material density of the handle 220 may be a determining factor when designing the interior, which may be filled or hollowed so as to contribute to a desired weight and/or center of gravity of the handle 220.

FIG. 2B shows an exemplary embodiment of the MU 200 in a resting position according to the present invention. As shown, the MU 200 may be placed in the resting position with a surface 280 of the first housing 210 and a surface 282 of the distal end 242 against a substantially flat surface (e.g., a table, a floor, etc.) 290. Because the MU 200 is not lying flat (e.g., on a lateral side), the user can quickly pickup the MU 200. This may be particularly beneficial when the MU 200 is repeatedly released during use. In addition, the surface 282 may act as a pivot point, allowing the user to place the MU 200 in an operative position against a surface (e.g., the surface 290) which supports a weight of the MU 200. Thus, user strain and fatigue may be reduced.

The perch 240 may enable additional resting positions. For example, the MU 200 may be rested against the surface 282 and a surface 284 of the handle 220. In this position, a scanning portion (e.g., a bar code scanner) of the MU 200 may be pointed in a horizontal direction, away from the surface 290. The user may then scan items by sweeping the items across the scanning portion without moving/aiming the MU 200.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a handle 300 according to the present invention. The handle 300 may be detachably coupled to an MU and may include a trigger 330 for activating the MU, a housing portion 320 and a perch 340. The handle 300 may be attached by sliding a pair of arms 362 into a receiving arrangement (e.g., one or more slot rails) disposed on a receiving surface of the MU, thereby interlocking the handle 300 and the MU. In an attached configuration, a top surface 360 of the handle 300 may be flush with the receiving surface. Other attachment arrangements may also be possible. For example, other embodiments may utilize snap-fitting, adhesives, magnets, screws, Velcro and/or other attachment methods generally known to one of skill in the art.

In another exemplary embodiment, the handle 300 may also be rotatably coupled to the MU. For example, the receiving arrangement may allow the user to rotate the MU about a length (e.g., a longitudinal axis) of the handle 300. In yet another embodiment, the handle 300 may be pivoted with, for example, a pivot hinge coupled to the receiving arrangement.

The handle 300 may include an accessory device interface such as, for example, one or more attachment pins 342 disposed on a distal end of the perch 340. An accessory device may be any mechanical and/or electrical device which complements a functionality of the MU. For example, the accessory device may be a printer, an input device, etc. The handle 300 may either be sold/packaged with the MU or sold separately. For example, handles with varying features (e.g., size, grip, communications capabilities, etc.) may be sold as add-ons which may be used to customize the MU to user specifications.

In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment pins 342 may provide power and/or transmit/receive data signals to/from the accessory device. The handle may further include a communications arrangement for transmitting/receiving signals to/from the MU, such as, for example, one or more electrical contacts on or near the surface 360. In other embodiments, the accessory device may be self-powered (e.g., via a battery, a AC-to-DC converter, etc) and/or non-communicating. In further embodiments, wireless communication (e.g., infrared, radio-frequency, etc.) between the handle, the accessory device and the MU may also be possible.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of a handle 400 according to the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 400 is detachably coupled to an MU 500. However, in other embodiments, the handle 400 may be integral with the MU 500. The handle 400 may be substantially similar to the handle 300 and may, for example, include a trigger 430 and a perch 440. In addition, the handle 400 may be extendable. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, the handle 400 may be detachably coupled to an extension handle 520, which may be attached using snap-fitting, adhesives, magnets, screws, Velcro and/or other attachment methods generally known to one of skill in the art. The handle 400 and/or the MU 500 may be sold/packaged with one or more extension handles, allowing for customization of the MU 500. For example, if the handle 400 is too short, the user may select an extension handle of appropriate length in order to compensate for the shortness of the handle 400. The user may also select an extension handle of sufficient length so as to enable two-handed operation of the MU 500. Extension handles may also be sold in addition or in alternative to packaging with the MU 500. Thus, the user may select from a variety of handles and/or extension handles.

The extension handle 520 may be formed of the same or a substantially similar material (e.g., plastic, rubber, etc.) as the handle 400 and may attach to the handle 400 in a manner similar to the attaching of the handle 300 to the MU. The extension handle 520 may be shaped to match a contour of the handle 400 and may also include a loop 522 for receiving a strap, a cord, a hook, etc. In other embodiments, the extension handle 520 may not include a loop and may, when coupled to the handle 400, comprise a long, contiguous handle. In yet other embodiments, the extension handle 520 may also include one or more perches separating fingers of one or more hands of the user.

The present invention provides several appreciable advantages over the conventional MU 100. For example, the MU 200 may be customized using a variety of handles that suit the user's needs. As previously described, handles may vary in both form and function. For example, physical characteristics such as size and grip may be varied. Furthermore, because the handle lengths can be sized to end in the middle of the hand, the handles can fit any number of users with different hand sizes. In addition, varying functional characteristics may allow the MU 100 to utilize any number of features, which may be included at a time of manufacture (e.g., a legacy or current feature) or at a later time (e.g., an upgrade feature).

Another advantage of the present invention lies in a general shape of the handles 220, 300 and 400. Each handle is shaped to fit comfortably in the user's hand(s). Furthermore, the handles 220, 300, 400 include perches (e.g., the perch 240) that provide further comfort and stability. Thus, the physical characteristics may be conducive to prolonging a period of use of the MUs 200 and 500.

It should also be noted that the handles 220, 300, 400 may be attached to any number of accessory devices. In addition to attachment via the perch 240, it may also be possible to attach accessories onto other portions (e.g., the rounded end 250) of the handles 220, 300, 400. Thus, the present invention may provide expandablility to MUs.

The present invention has been described with reference to the above exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the art would understand that the present invention may also be successfully implemented if modified. Accordingly, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broadest spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings, accordingly, should be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. 

1. A handle for a mobile device, comprising: a housing coupled to the mobile device, a surface of the housing being contoured to substantially conform to a natural curvature of a hand of the user; and a perch coupled to the housing and extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing.
 2. The handle according to claim 1, wherein when the handle is grasped in a gun-like manner, the perch separates at least two fingers of the hand.
 3. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the perch is detachably coupled to the housing.
 4. The handle according to claim 1, further comprising: a trigger coupled to the housing between the mobile device and the perch.
 5. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the perch has a predetermined length, a distal end of the perch having a predetermined shape allowing the user to place the mobile device in a resting position that utilizes at least the perch.
 6. The handle according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the perch is adapted to receive an accessory device.
 7. The handle according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the housing is coated with a grip-enhancing material.
 8. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the mobile device is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the housing.
 9. The handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle is detachably coupled to an extension handle using at least one of a snap-fitting, a Velcro®, an adhesive, a screw and a magnetic arrangement.
 10. The handle according to claim 1, wherein a length of the housing is at most equal to a width of the hand.
 11. A mobile device, comprising: a first housing; and a handle including a second housing and a perch, the second housing being coupled to the first housing, the perch extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second housing, a surface of the second housing being contoured to conform to a natural curvature of a hand of a user.
 12. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein when the handle is grasped in a gun-like manner, the perch is separating at least two fingers of the hand.
 13. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the perch has a predetermined length, a distal end of the perch having a predetermined shape so allowing the user to place the mobile device in a resting position that utilizes at least the perch.
 14. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein a distal end of the perch is adapted to receive an accessory device.
 15. The mobile device according to claim 11, further comprising: a data acquisition arrangement at least partially disposed within the first housing.
 16. The mobile device according to claim 15, wherein the data acquisition arrangement includes at least one of an imager, a laser-based barcode scanner, an RFID reader, a touch sensitive screen, a keypad and a microphone.
 17. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the handle is detachably coupled to the mobile device via at least one of a snap-fitting, an adhesive, a magnetic, a screw and a Velcro® arrangement.
 18. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the mobile device is rotatable about the length of the handle.
 19. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein the handle is detachably coupled to an extension handle via at least one of a snap-fitting, an adhesive, a magnetic, a screw and a Velcro® arrangement.
 20. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein a length of the second housing is at most equal to a width of the hand.
 21. A mobile device, comprising: a housing means; a data acquisition means for obtaining data, the data acquisition means at least partially being disposed in the housing means; and a grasping means for holding the mobile device and being coupled to the housing means, the grasping means including a further housing means, a triggering means and a perch, the triggering means being communicatively coupled to the data acquisition means for activating the data acquisition means, the perch extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the further housing means. 